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Maria Sakkari compares herself to Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz after 'shot of the tournament' contender at Australian Open

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World No. 52 Maria Sakkari looked stunned after she hit a stinger of a return around the net, leaving Margaret Court Arena astonished. Sakkari was quick to observe that her winner, which came while 6-4 4-2 ahead against Leolia Jeanjean in the first round at the Australian Open, will be among the "shots of the tournament", and drew comparisons between herself, Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz.

Sakkari compares herself to Federer and Alcaraz after incredible shot

Video credit: TNT Sports

Maria Sakkari likened herself to men's tennis greats Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer after stunning the Australian Open crowd with an early contender for the shot of the tournament.

Sakkari's straight-sets victory over Leolia Jeanjean was the first match of the main draw to take place on Margaret Court Arena, and those in attendance were treated to the Greek's outrageous return at 6-4 4-2.

On the stretch with Jeanjean's serve curling away from her, Sakkari not only managed to get her racquet on it, but with enough purchase to send it down the line and - absurdly - around the net, leaving her French opponent little opportunity to reply.

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While the intent was clearly there to play the winner, Sakkari even seemed astounded at the result - putting her hands in the air, and soaking up the adulation from the approving crowd.

Sakkari said in her on-court interview: "I'm 30 years old now, I've been playing tennis for 25 years, I could never imagine that I can actually hit that kind of return.

"You see when Roger hits it, Carlos and then myself. And I'm like, ah, you know, I'm pretty sure it's going to make one of the best shots of the tournament."

Watch 'unbelievable' around-the-net shot as Sakkari shocked at brilliance

Video credit: TNT Sports

Fittingly, Sakkari's effort came exactly two years to the day after Alcaraz entertained the Australian Open crowd with an around-the-net effort, during his second-round match against Lorenzo Sonego.

Federer, meanwhile, memorably struck a ball around the post during his US Open third-round victory over Nick Kyrgios in 2018 - but Sakkari's effort arguably trumped both given the reflexes on show and the perfect placement of her return.

"Top one by far," Sakkari told reporters when asked where the shot ranks in her career. "It's not everyday you hit this kind of a shot.

"I didn't know what to think because I never thought I could hit that kind of a shot. It was just so natural, I just hit and I was praying it was going to go in.

"It was a one-off thing and I'm super excited because I'm sure it's going to be up there with one of the best shots."

Sakkari dismissed Jeanjean 6-4 6-2 to be among the first players in the women's draw to seal her second-round spot.

Highlights: Maria Sakkari - Leolia Jeanjean

Video credit: TNT Sports

It has been an encouraging start to the 2026 campaign for the Greek world No. 52, having beaten both Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu at the United Cup - falling short in her subsequent singles rubber against Coco Gauff and then, at the Adelaide International, against Daria Kasatkina.

She will face either No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva or Donna Vekic in the second round, as she looks to spring a surprise run on a tight draw, with No. 9 seed Madison Keys defending her maiden Grand Slam title.

Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+.

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